Runabout Strollers | Buying Baby Strollers

There are several types of stroller apart from the standard to choose from and these include lightweight strollers, twin strollers, a stroller travel system, a triple stroller, a tandem stroller or a running stroller.

Double strollers have two seats and come with several seating arrangements. A traditional tandem stroller will seat the first child with a good view but the child behind can see very little. Tandem seating is like stadium seating where the rear seat is raised above the one in front and there is also face to face seating or a side by side twin stroller.

Running (or jogging strollers) allow you to bring your child or children along on a run. Jogging strollers have a triangular wheel base with two large wheels in the rear and one wheel in the front. An added safety feature is a wrist strap on the handle bar to prevent the stroller rolling away when you stop if you don’t get the brake on fast enough.

Triple strollers are unsurprisingly for three children. Seating arrangements can be side by side but most will have tandem or stadium seating.

Umbrella strollers are relatively inexpensive, lightweight and generally easier to fold and unfold and store in a car. They are terrific for short trips to the Mall or short walks but do not work well on all terrains. Umbrella strollers do have a tendency to tip back if anything is hung on the handles.

So called double stroller for infant and toddler also come with multiple seating but are slightly heavier than an umbrella stroller but slightly less than a standard stroller. Typically they fold in a single hand motion and look similar to a standard stroller.

Phil & Teds Vibe with Dbls kit

A convertible stroller is changeable from a lie-flat bed suitable for newborns to a sit-up stroller with a lie-back facility for naps.

A stroller travel system is also convertible and suitable for very young or newborns. Unlike the convertible stroller, it also comes with a car seat.

Bike strollers or trailers can also be found as two seated models and have 5-point harnesses to secure the child. They are attached to the rear wheel of the bike and easily converted from a trailer to a stroller.

If you have a very young baby and a toddler, you’ll need the type of stroller that will allow you to take them both out together in safety. Some of the twin side-by-side strollers or a double stroller travel system will do this. Not cheap, but you may be able to find one second-hand. We like the new Bugaboo Donkey, however, it can be difficult to get as it’s new. In the meantime, Phil and Teds Vibe with a doubles kit is pretty good. You can see that by clicking on the picture on the left.